Fall 2008 Town Meeting

This page lists zoning articles that were considered during the Fall 2008 town Meeting. A summary of all the zoning articles that were considered by town Meeting is available online. Details on individual articles are shown below.

Article 7 - Duplexes in R-G & R-VC

Summary

This article would allow duplexes by right (through Site Plan Review) in the R-G (General Residence) and R-VC (village Center Residence) districts.

Map of the town Center R-G district. See also the maps listed under Article 8, which show the R-VC zoning districts

Board recommendation

The Planning Board voted 6-0 to recommend that town Meeting adopt this article

TM result

Passed by a declared 2 -3rds voice vote on November 10, 2008

Article 8 - B-G and B-VC Residential Density

Summary

This article seeks to increase residential density in the town center and village centers by removing the use of existing basic minimum building lot area requirements as the method for calculating the number of dwelling units possible on any given property.

The Planning Board voted 6-0 to recommend that town Meeting adopt this article

TM result

Passed by a declared 2 -3rds voice vote on 11/10/08

Article 9 - Recreational Facilities

Summary

This article would create definitions for several classes of recreation referenced in the Zoning Bylaw, and would also specifically define "usable open space". It would also create a requirement that residential developments of 4 or more units provide a minimum of 1,000 sq. ft. of usable open space per dwelling unit for recreation, along with several minor technical changes.

The Planning Board voted 5-0, with 1 abstention, to recommend that town Meeting adopt this article

TM result

The article was structured as 2 separate motions. The 1st motion was for sections A, B, D, and E of the article. town Meeting voted to refer these sections back to the Planning Board on 11/10/08. The 2nd motion was for section C of the article. town Meeting voted to refer this section back to the Planning Board on 11/17/08.

Article 10 - Professional Offices in LI

Summary

This article would allow technical and professional offices which allow visitation from the general public only by appointment to locate in the Light Industrial district by Special Permit. It would also alter the boundaries of the Light Industrial district on Grove St. to align with the property lines of the properties covered by the district.

The Planning Board voted 6-0 to recommend that town Meeting adopt this article

TM result

The article was structured as 2 separate motions. The 1st motion was for section A of the article, which would allow technical and professional offices in the LI district. This motion passed by a tally vote of 104-46 ( 2 -3rds vote required) on 11/17/08. The tally vote results are available online. The 2nd motion was for section B of the article, which would change the boundaries of the Grove St. LI district. This motion passed by a declared 2 -3rds vote on 11/17/08.

The warrant for the Fall 2008 town Meeting, which contains the full text of each article, is available online and the full results from the town meeting are available online.

About Amherst

The Town of Amherst, located in the lovely Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, is a diverse, inclusive community offering numerous educational and cultural opportunities.

Host to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the Town enjoys a tradition of open, professional, and high level of government services, quality education, support for open space and agriculture, and respect for its history.